The escalating prices of prescription medications are creating a health crisis that disproportionately affects Black Americans, according to a recent report from Patients for Affordable Drugs. This year alone, the costs of 1,000 prescription drugs have increased, with nearly half of these hikes outpacing inflation.
The impact is particularly severe for Black and Latino patients aged 65 and older, who report the highest levels of difficulty in accessing their medications. This trend is exacerbating existing health disparities and putting essential treatments out of reach for many.
Minority women face some of the most significant challenges. For instance, Enhertu, a drug used to treat HER2-negative breast cancer—a condition that predominantly affects Black women—has seen its price rise eight times since 2019. The monthly cost now exceeds $2,800, making it increasingly inaccessible for those who need it most.
Margarida Jorge, executive director of Health Care for America Now, criticizes the health care industry’s handling of conditions that disproportionately affect minorities. She points to the long-standing neglect of diseases like sickle cell anemia, suggesting that affordability issues persist because it primarily affects Black people.Advocacy groups are pushing for reforms to make health care more accessible and affordable. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Joe Biden, aims to address these issues, but more work remains to be done to ensure equitable access to life-saving medications for all Americans, particularly those from marginalized communities.
See “The rising cost of prescription drugs disproportionately hurts Black Americans” (September 27, 2024)
